SPATIUM International Review UDC 728.012.6:691.11 ; No. 24, March 2011, pp. 57-62 692.23.011.1 Preliminary report-Short Communications DOI: 10.2298/SPAT1124057I

IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE ON THE USE OF WOOD AS AN ELEMENT OF FACADE COVERING IN SERBIAN CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

Jelena Ivanović Šekularac1, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia Nenad Šekularac, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia

The world trend of re-use of wood and wood products as materials for construction and covering of architectural structures is present not only because of the need to meet the aesthetic, artistic and formal requirements or to seek inspiration in the return to the tradition and nature, but also because of its ecological, economic and energetic feasibility. Furthermore, the use of wood fits into contemporary trends of sustainable development and application of modern technical and technological solutions in the production of materials, in order to maintain a connection to nature, environment and tradition. In this study the author focuses on wood and wood products as an element of facade covering on buildings in our country, in order to extend knowledge about possibilities and limitations of their use and create a base for their greater and correct application. The subject of this research is to examine the application of wood and wood products as an element covering the exterior in combination with other materials applied in our traditional and contemporary homes with the emphasis on functional, representational art and the various possibilities of wood. In this study all the factors that affect the application of wood and wood products have been analyzed and the conclusions have been drawn about the manner of their implementation and the types of wood and wood products protection. The development of modern technological solutions in wood processing led to the production of composite materials based on wood that are highly resistant, stable and much longer lasting than wood. Those materials have maintained in an aesthetic sense all the characteristics of wood that make it unique and inimitable. This is why modern facade coating based on wood should be applied as a facade covering in the exterior of modern architectural buildings in Serbia, and the use wood reduced to a minimum. Keywords: wood, wood-based products, composite materials, modern facade coatings, coating of architectural facilities in Serbia

• creative procedure, that takes the past as the criterion, shows a 1 INTRODUCTION sense of belonging and attachment, as well as • creative analytical procedure (Trifunović, 1969). Influences and interpretations of traditional the ability to re-interpret the sensibility of the architecture elements in the contemporary The creative influence of tradition on contem- traditional local architecture in the form of architectural works in Serbia can be grouped into porary architectural work is reflected in the direct modern sensibility found in the new architectural several categories. What makes popular visual recognition of the creative approach, which work (Marić, 2006). architecture rich and varied is the diversity of can be characterized as: formalism, imitation, historical phenomena and forms transposable to citation, stylization (Trifunović, 1969). contemporary architecture in more or less The analytical creative process relies on the recognizable way. subjective experience of the interpretation of Various possibilities of interpretation of the tradition by accepting the past as the criterion. motives used in contemporary architecture are This procedure excludes the past as a cult that developing based on the experiences of traditional should be cherished, and the past experiences folk architecture. These impacts can be classified transformation in the modern architectural into two main categories: work. The methods applied in this procedure can be characterized as a partial influence of Figure 1. An example of partial impact of the tradition and tradition and transposition (Figure 1). The transposition to the modern architectural work, House Pejović, th 1 Bul. kralja Aleksandra 73/II, 11 000 Beograd, Serbia transposition in architecture, in the most Povlen, architect Blagota Pešić, 2004. (27 Salon of [email protected] abstract form, becomes the best artistic result Architecture, 2005)

spatium 57 Ivanović Šekularac J., Šekularac N.: Impacts of traditional architecture on the use of wood as an element of facade covering...

As a reflection of the formalism in architectural Porches, hipped roofs, deep eaves, wood as an maintains a constant connection to the traditions structures in Serbia today, we can see the element of the facade cladding, stone as an and folk architecture. simplicity of form - great hipped roofs with em- element of connection with the ground, are Our architectural tradition represents a great phasized eaves and elements of the wooden recognizable elements of structures built by potential and can be an eternal inspiration for structure and flat facades with wood elements as emulating a certain style or architectural work, modern architects to find ways of building and decoration. This type of approach to the fina- resulting from the designer’s desire to preserve designing homes that would be more lization of some modern buildings is based on the original values of folk architecture (Figure 2). compatible with the region. This statement can the assessment of qualities of traditional folk be adopted as one of the possible approaches architecture and the formal application of these APPLICATION OF WOOD AND WOOD and we could give it a real significance in the elements in new buildings without the prior ana- PRODUCTS IN MODERN creation of modern architectural works. What is lysis of the element itself or its characteristics. ARCHITECTURE IN SERBIA important and good in the world practice should The examples of family houses built in the style be applied to the extent allowed by climate, of traditional architecture by applying the forms There is a tendency towards affirmation and functional, morphological and economic and proportions of old buildings, as well as realization of the continuity of the national conditions in Serbia. We should build in a traditional materials, have an impact on the heritage in one part of Serbian contemporary modern, but different way and successfully creation of new environments associated with architecture. This is reflected in the protection of follow what is good in our traditional the tradition and the preservation of existing architectural heritage, the study of folk architecture. In our country, there are few environmental units in which the spirit of architecture and the inclination to transfer the modern buildings inspired by traditional tradition is intertwined with the modern spirit. principles and spirit of traditional architecture architecture. We should not mindlessly copy the into the contemporary architectural works. The The connection to the traditional architecture is architectural tradition with no connection to application of wood in contemporary archi- sometimes expressed by a quote in the archi- contemporary trends in architecture. Our tecture, as the old - new material, brought about tecture, by introducing only a detail or element architectural tradition, whenever possible, the elements of national creativity as an attempt which represents a connection with the should serve as inspiration to develop modern to introduce a change which has the aesthetic, architecture of the past. The introduction of a construction methods and design houses that constructive and stimulating effect on the overall symbol represents a process that establishes would best fit in this area. The solution to many perception and understanding of architecture. the connection between the modern problems currently present in the Serbian architecture and the traditional and regional It is possible to achieve an original work of architecture lies in undertaking efforts to educate architecture. The application of the symbols of creation by building in the style of regionalism the future generations of designers and builders folk architecture – porch, emphasized wooden with the use of indigenous materials, building and in taking a more inspiring, creative and roof structure, wooden shingle as a roof technology and traditional designing methods modern approach to the implementation of covering, post and petrail construction on the for a specific situation – on the spot. traditional architecture elements in a new and facade, or wood as a facade lining in the modern way and their successful combination contemporary architectural structures – The tendency to preserve the regional with modern materials. represents the partial impact of tradition on characteristics of architecture is an important, almost strategically important element of Today, when an architect designs a building that contemporary architecture (Marić, 2003). national expression from the viewpoint of the needs to fit into the environment and conform to By using stone, wood, brick and S-tile as roofing correct and rational use of land, preservation of the principles of ecological construction, natural i.e. original materials typical for the architecture the identity and particularity, the formation of materials and appropriate protection measures of Serbia as a region, it is possible to emulate a high-quality environment in the natural or must be used at every stage of construction and certain style simplifying the form and shape. All already built scenery, energy saving and operation of the facility: the appropriate use of this is applied in order to obtain a new work of conservation of natural resources and impro- material depending on its functions, the contemporary architecture in which the styli- vement of life conditions (Krunić et al, 2009). protection of materials, maintenance and zation procedure modified the old element, but removal of failed parts. it is consistent enough to be recognizable. There In Europe as well as in the world, in addition to Possibilities and limitations of wood are examples of successful stylization in a large the general aspiration to reach universal integration and globalization, the sphere of arts, number of vacation homes and public buildings application in our modern architecture including architecture, witnesses the regional built as original work by excellent architects The possibilities and limitations of application in Šumadija and the Morava River basin. cultural trends that are being developed as a reaction to general tendencies. Considering the of wood in our architectural practice are as fact that the global trends in architecture are: follows: diversity, variety, particularity and the pursuit of • Architectural solution, type of assembly and individual, in response to these aspirations in the position within the architectural assembly architecture in our country there is interest in condition whether and how the wood will be regionalism and the inspiration is sought in the applied in one facility. folk architecture (Figure 1 and Figure 2). • In comparison to other materials (stone, In many countries of the world in rural areas brick, concrete, metal, glass), wood has a and areas outside urban centers, the stylization much shorter durability, which limits its as a creative process of emulating the certain application. style and the simplification of certain elements or partial abstraction with more or less • Our climate conditions – cold and long Figure 2. Vacation Home, Mountain Rajac, architect winters, with precipitations and strong wind, Božidar Petrović, 1979., (Petrović, 1997) resemblance to the original style or work,

58 spatium Ivanović Šekularac J., Šekularac N.: Impacts of traditional architecture on the use of wood as an element of facade covering ...

hot summers, with large oscillations of • The facility built of wood fits well in the Application of hardwood in temperature, high humidity and exposure of the natural environment and achieves the unity contemporary architecture in Serbia materials to solar radiation – have an between the building and nature. unfavorable impact on wood and therefore Deciduous trees represent hardwood whose • Contemporary architectural works built in the require constant maintenance and occasional largest number of species (oak, hornbeam, urban environment should also contain trans- replacement of wood as a coating. Wood is the etc.) is more lasting than coniferous, softwood. posed elements inspired by traditional town material of limited capacities in terms of home, but presented in a new and Raw hardwood has a more universal durability and in order to extend its life and contemporary way, using modern materials application than raw softwood. The structure keep the original appearance one must apply and wood-based materials. and color of hardwood, visible on the surface, special care, and also consider the application are aesthetically more valuable than the of modern products of wood industry, which in Based on the above, we can conclude that structures and colors of softwood. Therefore terms of durability and sustainability of the wood can be applied only in certain parts of hardwood is more often used in visible places, original look have better properties than wood. the architectural object, with the application of appropriate protection measures and their interiors and for furniture covering. • Construction in wood is wrongly associated implementation on an entire facility. The Hardwood and softwood are both widely used with the accessory facilities or social housing, advantage of wood as a material is in its which is a big misconception about wood in construction: for making windows, door lightness and the possibility to construct frames, and for different ways of facade rooted in the understanding of people of this without the use of complex machinery. In region. The reason for this prejudice is the cladding with boards, with and without flaps (in modern construction, wood industry products touch). This coating may be placed in different several-decades-long practice to build acces- have a great advantage over wood since their sory and temporary facilities solely of wood. ways, depending on the desired effect, as exceptional features can compensate for all the follows: horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • A house of wood must be made in continuity, weaknesses of wood as a building material. for wood as a material does not permit the Less resistant timber may be pre-protected by Application of softwood in construction in phases, and that requires impregnation or may be protected by coating, considerable financial resources. On the other contemporary architecture in Serbia which contains the paint for wood and thus hand, what characterizes the construction in protects it from tarnishing. These coatings can Conifers are softwood and they are used as the our country is precisely construction in phases, be opaque and completely cover the colour building material for the inner and outer lining. which often lasts for years due to lack of funds. and structure of the wood; or transparent and Certain number of our individual family houses With soft wood the work is easy; it is found in leave the color and structure visible. never get their final appearance, i.e. facade, large quantities and is suitable for use in a Depending on the added pigments, they dye because the owner of the facility is incapable variety of activities. The types of soft wood that the wood to a greater or lesser degree. to finalize it. In case of building wooden can be used as a facade cladding are: juniper, Hardwood, due to its sometimes extraordinary houses, the construction in phases is not larch (yew), pine. visual characteristics, is most often used to possible because the house has to be Raw, unprotected wood may eventually become obtain the products in which the veneers of completed entirely, including the final layer, grey under the influence of outside air. However, selected hardwood have a major role. i.e. a facade has to be complete, and this is the too much humidity and other unsuitable reason why a small number of houses has It is important to emphasize that the application conditions may make it suitable for the deve- wood as the final layer. of a certain type of wood depends on its value. lopment of tree fungi or ugly stains. If soft wood Wood with extraordinary aesthetic properties,

• Lightness of wood as a material allows the is not impregnated with protective means on such as walnut or mahogany, is primarily used self-construction. time, its external surface remains unprotected for coating the interiors and furniture making • Wooden construction with its lightness and allows the natural tarnishing of wood to because of very high prices. For luxurious contributes to the economy, especially for remain visible and in most cases ruptures and works in the interior, the stairs and coating, facilities that are built in inaccessible places. cracks appear on the outer surface. high-quality types of wood are used: oak, ash, In case of construction of a wooden facility on Subsequent decay protection of already built-in maple, elm and decorative exotic wood as an inaccessible site the costs are 40% lower wood is recommended as a kind of complete monolithic wood or as laminated wood panels. than the cost of construction with concrete protection. The method of application of surface Use of products of thermo-wood in structure (Gauzin–Müller, 2004). protective means differs from opaque coatings, modern architecture in Serbia • The limitations of the use of wood in this which hide the color and the structure of wood, country are also conditioned by the economic to transparent coating materials that allow the Thermally treated wood products (thermo- factors, since the necessity of ongoing mainte- wood structure to remain clear and visible, and, wood) are used for exterior cladding. In Serbia, nance and possible replacement of dilapidated depending on the pigments that are added, may ash and hornbeam are exposed to the elements of wooden panels with the help of or may not dye the wood. procedure of thermal treatment. skilled labor requires financial resources. Softwood in the form of veneer, wood wool, The term thermo-wood refers to wood that is • The use of pre-dried timber and prefabri- sawdust, splinters and fibers, with the addition of thermally treated at temperatures ranging from cated elements greatly reduces the setup glue or other binders is usually used to obtain 160 to 260° C. The exposure of wood to high phase of construction and construction costs. new composite products. Composite materials temperatures is carried out for several reasons. • The installation of wooden construction does with plastic are also produced from softwood, as During the thermal treatment the most not require large machinery, so the noise well as laminated constructions and wooden important thing is to achieve increased during the installation is significantly reduced. roof structures. dimensional stability and resistance which

spatium 59 Ivanović Šekularac J., Šekularac N.: Impacts of traditional architecture on the use of wood as an element of facade covering...

significantly increases the durability of the The stone and wood combination is present in the nature and tradition, leads to the application of wood. Under the influence of high temperature mountain facilities. The walls of the ground floor modern technical and technological solutions warping, swelling and pulling in of the wood are covered with stone, while the facade walls on in the design and implementation of individual reduces by 50%, which allows the use of the floors and big roof inclined planes are covered architectural solutions. thermally treated wood in conditions of high by wooden lining (Figure 4). Deep eaves lined The application of wood as a facade covering humidity and direct exposure to atmospherilia, with wood are the architectural features of in the architecture of Serbia, if we exclude the which is typical for our climate areas. buildings in these mountains. Wood applied for mountainous area, is very rare. The reason for Thermally treated wood has a lower moisture the facade and roof covering of buildings this lies in the features of our climate and the equilibrium and therefore it is extremely represents the organic approach to architecture in deterioration of the wooden panels under the resistant to the attack of rot fungi. Under the Serbia (Figure 5). Covering of roofs, eaves and influence of atmospherilia and solar radiation. influence of temperature the thermal insulating small roof windows with wood is present at all Examples of setting timber on the facades are properties improve, but it is necessary to point facilities within the hotel and apartment ski resort few due to need for permanent protection. out that the hardness of certain types of wood of Kopaonik. In Belgrade, there are few examples may be reduced by this process. of setting wood as facade panels. Wood as a On one of the buildings which is an example of facade cladding is exposed to all the negative Belgrade modern architecture featuring ele- Depending on the temperature level to which external influences in our weather conditions ments of moderna, there is one part of the the timber was exposed during this process, its which cause its natural aging. These examples of facade where natural wood is applied as a final color changes and can vary from light beige to setting the natural wood as a facade covering facade cladding. The combination of wood with dark brown. Treated in this way, domestic represent the organic principle in architecture. a painted wall surfaces, as well as other parts species of wood are similar in color to tropical of the facade coated with composite materials, species. In addition to all the reasons above, is a unique architectural work. the thermal treatment of wood is of particular importance for our country, rich in wood species whose quality is improved by thermal treatment. Thermally treated wood is a completely ecological product which does not contain substances that may be harmful to the environment. The use of this new technology enabled the use of thermally treated wood not only for the interiors but also for external use, as facade cladding. Thermo-wood is used for the outer coating of porch floors, yards and pool decks (http://www.sagadrvo.rs/). Figure 6. The facade is created as the combination of wood, composite materials and painted wall surfaces. Multi-family residential building "Condominium 41-7”, APPLICATION OF WOOD AND Velisava Vulovića Street, Dedinje, Belgrade, architect Mustafa Musić, 2008., The appearance of the building WOOD PRODUCTS AS FACADE Figure 4. The combination of stone and wood as a (http://www.enterijermagazin.com/index.php/mustafa) COVERINGS IN CONTEMPORARY facade cladding, "Paraglajder" Apartments, Kopaonik (http://www.kopaonik.net/main.php? ARCHITECTURE IN SERBIA case=smestaj&leng=ser) It is possible to combine wood as an element

In contemporary Serbian architecture wood is of facade covering with other materials, brick hardly used as the material for the outer for example (Figure 7), but also with a simple coating. There are only few examples of flat painted wall planes. The example of such a architectural structures in which this type of building, of simple lines is given in Figure 8. coating is present. Mountain winter tourist centers: Kopaonik and Zlatibor, where wood is present as facade cladding, are exceptions.

Figure 5. Wood applied as a wall, facade and roof covering; organic approach to architecture, Mountain House "Rtanj", architect M. Đorđević, Kopaonik, (http://www.rtanj.com/ wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ image025.jpg) Figure 7. The combination of wood and brick as a facade Following modern international architectural lining, Milovana Marinkovića Street, Voždovac, detail of the Figure 3. Wood in combination with a full wall carcass influences, with an aspiration for ecological building – the tower covered with wood (Ivanović- as a facade cladding and roofing, Grand Hotel, design and application of modern materials, as Šekularac, 2010) Kopaonik (http:// www.kopaonik.net/main.php? well as fitting into the modern trends of case=smestaj&leng=ser sustainable development and connection with

60 spatium Ivanović Šekularac J., Šekularac N.: Impacts of traditional architecture on the use of wood as an element of facade covering ...

These examples of completed architectural buildings in Belgrade speak of diversity in terms of aesthetic features, as well as the quality of applied composite facade products.

Figure 8. Wooden facade lining in combination with white wall surfaces and details of metal, Residential building in Dedinje, Belgrade, architects Adam D. Miljković, J. Mitrović , 2004. The appearance of the building (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010 Figure 10. The combination of composite materials The examples of completed architectural build- and painted wall surfaces on the facade, ings in Belgrade, with natural wood as an Residential building in Gospodara Vučića Street , Street appearance of the building (Ivanović- element of facade covering, speak of the pos- Šekularac, 2010) Figure 12. Composite material as a wooden facade sibilities of applying natural wood in order to Facade coating with composite materials in the cladding in combination with painted facade walls, fullfil the artistic and aesthetic requirements in Apartment building, Velisava Vulovića Street, Dedinje, the materialization of contemporary archi- form of boards is represented in the observed Belgrade, 2008. The appearance of the building tectural buildings. objects. What is noticeable is that different (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010) types of composite coating appear in our Modern technological solutions provide the market (Prodema, Parklex, Tespa, Fundermax). possibility to set thermally-treated wood in the places where the wooden cladding is exposed There are high-quality composites applied in to environmental influences, which greatly facade cladding with a front of natural veneer, or improves the characteristics of wood panels with a layer of real wood and the appropriate and extends their lifetime. Of course, the protection. These products have excellent original appearance of wood changes gra- aesthetic properties and uniqueness of real wood. dually. However, such thermal treatment delays the aging of wood and thus its physical deterioration. In that way, by using this kind of products, we can keep all the aesthetic features Figure 13. Composite material as a facade cladding, of natural wood that make it unique and House on two corners, Mihajla Avramovića Street, Dedinje, Belgrade, architects Maša Bratuša and Lav unrepeatable. This modern solution affects the Bratuša, 2006. The street appearance of the building aesthetic experience of the architectural object. (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010) The tendency to coat with small elements of natural wood influenced the application of modern coating – a substitute, as the final facade lining (Figure 9). These composite materials can be smaller in size – as elements of sawn timber or they can be bigger – in the form of boards (Figure 10).

Figure 14. The combination of composite materials as

a facade cladding and a large glass surface, Building in Dušana Bogdanovića Street, Belgrade, MetricCo- Figure 9. Wood as an element of the facade cladding Figure 11. Composite material as a facade cladding in architectural team, Street appearance of the building in combination with a facade of artificial stone, combination with glass and metal on the facade, (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010) Residential building, Kumanovska Street, Belgrade, Building in Jagićeva Street, Belgrade, Street 2000. Branislav Mitrović, The appearance of the appearance of the building (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010) building (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010)

spatium 61 Ivanović Šekularac J., Šekularac N.: Impacts of traditional architecture on the use of wood as an element of facade covering...

In the reconstruction of facilities composite Marić, I. (2003), Savremena interpretacija material may be used as a new facade cladding. tradicionalnih arhitektonskih obrazaca u seoskoj arhitekturi, Arhitektura i urbanizam, Časopis za prostorno planiranje, urbanizam i arhitekturu, No12/13, pp.25-37. Marić, I. (2006), Tradicionalno graditeljstvo Pomoravlja i savremena arhitektura, Beograd: Institut za arhitekturu i urbanizam Srbije, pp. 77. Petrović, B. (1997), Stare srpske kuće kao graditeljski podsticaj, Beograd: Građevinska knjiga, pp.51.Trifunović, L. (1969), Stara i nova umetnost, ideje prošlosti u modernoj umetnosti, Beograd: Zograf 3, pp. 39-52. 27th Salon of Architecture, (2005), Exhibition Catalogue, Belgrade: Museum of Applied Art, pp.68. http://www.enterijermagazin.com/index.php/must afa, accessed 10nd Nov 2009. http://www.kopaonik.net/main.php?case=smest aj&leng=ser, accessed 12nd Nov 2009.

http://www.rtanj.com/wp-content/uploads/008/ Figure 15. An example of reconstruction of the facade by 10/image025.jpg, accessed 12nd Nov 2009. placing the composite material as facade cladding, Building in Aleksandra Stambolijskog Street, Belgrade, http://www.sagadrvo.rs/proizvodi-detaljnije.php Street appearance of the building ?ID=146/, accessed 15nd Nov 2009. (Ivanović-Šekularac, 2010)

CONCLUSION

Natural wood as a facade cladding in Serbia is not often used. The reasons for such a rare application of natural wood are unfavorable weather conditions, high humidity, large temperature fluctuations and extremely hot summers and cold snowy winters. In addition, it is important to add the effect of solar radiation that adversely affects the outer coverings of natural wood. Therefore their permanent maintenance is necessary, which 2 requires additional financial resources. By using products based on wood and composite materials it is to a certain degree possible to replace natural wood and eliminate the negative impact of weather conditions and effects of humidity and solar radiation. The modern way of coating with composite materials found its modest application in the modern architectural buildings in Serbia.

References

Gauzin-Müller, D. (2004), Wood Houses, Spaces

for Contemporary Living and Working, Basel: Birkhäuser, pp. 10

Ivanović-Šekularac, J. (2010), Functional and Representational Potential of Wood as an Element of Architectural Buildings’ Lining,

doctoral dissertation, Faculty of Architecture, Universuty of Belgrade, pp. 260-279.

Krunić, N. Tošić, D., Milijić, S. (2009), Problems of spatial-functional organization of Južno

Pomoravlje region’s network of settlements 1, Recieved: May 2010; accepted in revised form SPATIUM International Review, No. 19, pp. November 2011 20-29.

62 spatium